Takahashi's performance was the best of the night, but he knows he can do better. No triple-triples, and he had to tack on single toes on the mistakes he made on the quad and triple axel - just couldn't get that free leg out. Several scratchy landings and one fall. On presentation, I think he finally got that despair across at the end. I mean, this song is about a clown who is forced to laugh at his own tragedy and the unfaithfulness of his wife. Not sure that comes across until about the last footwork sequence. That said, his transitions and edgework are amazing.

Yes, Machida is first to qualify for the GPF, as most of the guys have not yet skated two events. Good for him, but what a letdown of an event today! I'm sure the warmup collision scared everyone and maybe led to some loss of focus. Hope Song will be okay and that Joubert will recover quickly from whatever is ailing him.

Not only have all the Worlds medalists finished second so far at their GPs - other than Hanyu's SP, their performances have not been inspiring.

Originally Posted by sky_fly20

the podium

1 - winner - upset
2 - silver - can do much better
3 bronze - an obscure skater than never medaled before in juniors or seniors

Huh? Voronov has medalled on the GP before, including in this very event three years ago. He's also finished as high as 4th at Euros and 7th at Worlds.

Yeah, it makes me think that we might just have a whole new set of medalists this year. Still, it's early in the season, and Daisuke and Patrick generally falter on jumps at the beginning. Hanyu also needs to build his stamina for the free skate as always. Javier Fernandez and Takahiko Kozuka generally has better jump consistency... hopefully that follows through until Worlds.